Dazzling holiday: Mayor King helps judge decorating contest at Comforcare
Published 4:39 pm Monday, December 4, 2023
Mayor Steve King looks over decorations in the Lodge neighborhood as he judges Christmas decorations for Good Samaritan Society-Comforcare Monday afternoon. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Decorations are arranged along the window sill in the Lodge neighborhood of Comforcare Monday. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Stockings are hung as part of the decorations in the Lodge neighborhood of Comforcare Monday. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Mayor Steve King and Comforcare Administrator Clara Stitt talk with resident Lola Erickson during King’s visit to judge Christmas decorations Monday afternoon. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Mayor Steve King looks over a Christmas tree in the Garden neighborhood as he judges Christmas decorations for Good Samaritan Society-Comforcare Monday afternoon. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Clara Baker takes the holiday spirit at Comforcare on the move earlier this month. Herald file photo
Decorations add to the ambiance of Healing Grace neighorhood of Comforcare. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
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Christmas was in the air at Good Samaritan Society – Comforcare on Monday afternoon and the nursing home had some help in judging who did it best.
Mayor Steve King visited Comforcare to judge a friendly competition between teams of staff and residents, who each decorated one of the three neighborhoods within the facility.
The winner was the Lodge neighborhood with a complement of warm and inviting elements that just kind of made you want to stay awhile.
“It was difficult to judge,” King said after the winner had been named. “They were all well done, but the Lodge — it was the peacefulness it brought that I really liked.”
While Comforcare residents and staff have decorated the facility in the past, this was the first time there was a fun competition between the three neighborhoods that also included the Garden and Healing Grace.
According to Administrator Clara Stitt, not only does it raise the Christmas spirit of Comforcare but acts as a binder for togetherness between staff and residents.
“On their own (staff) are getting the supplies and working together as a team. It’s really fun to see them all,” Stitt said. “The residents will give input on what they think should go where. The residents really help where they can.”
Like so many other activities hosted by Comforcare, events like Monday’s judging and its Halloween event in October, serve as an opportunity to bring the public to the residents.
“They love seeing the community,” Stitt said. “They’ll be talking for weeks that the mayor was here. It’s a big deal for them.”
“They don’t have homes,” she added. “This is their house to decorate and they love being involved.”
It’s just as important for King to have been a part of the contest and to be a part of the community at Comforcare.
“All aspects of the community are important,” King said. “We need facilities like this. To reconnect with my high school lunch lady, 99 years old, is a blessing. It was also special because my mom worked at Comforcare.
Comforcare has more exciting holiday fun on the horizon as well. The public is invited to the facility between 10 a.m. and noon and 4-6 p.m. on Dec. 12 to visit residents and family as well as Santa Claus.
There will also be coco and coffee available.
